Windsor Locks Students Headed For Obama Inauguration

Photo by Bob MacDonnell | rmacdonnell@courant.com

A group of ten Windsor Locks High School students, accompanied by their history teacher Barbara Sjodin-Niziolek, will attend the inauguration of Barack Obama. In the front row, from left to right, are Nicole Hotchkin, Jenn DeLisle, Elizabeth Gannuscio, teacher Barbara Sjodin-Niziolek, and Paige Wetzel. In the back row, from left to right, are Gabriella Benea, Tara Rasmussen, Michael Engelmann, Allie Seaha, Alexis Doering and Eileen Wrabel.

A group of ten Windsor Locks High School students, accompanied by their history teacher Barbara Sjodin-Niziolek, will attend the inauguration of Barack Obama. In the front row, from left to right, are Nicole Hotchkin, Jenn DeLisle, Elizabeth Gannuscio, teacher Barbara Sjodin-Niziolek, and Paige Wetzel. In the back row, from left to right, are Gabriella Benea, Tara Rasmussen, Michael Engelmann, Allie Seaha, Alexis Doering and Eileen Wrabel. (Photo by Bob MacDonnell | rmacdonnell@courant.com)

NANCY SMYTH LASTRINA

They have different interests and plan to pursue varied careers, yet the ties that bind 10 Windsor Locks High School students is a love of country, a sense that change is upon the nation and an urgency to see history unfold before their eyes.

For these students — who are taking a weeklong journey with their history teacher, Barbara Sjodin-Niziolek, to witness the historic inauguration of the nation's 44th president, Barack Obama — it's about more than just being able to say "I was there."

In fall 2007, long before anyone could predict the outcome of the election, or even whom each party would nominate, these students applied for a program offered through the Close-Up Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan citizenship education organization that promotes participation in the democratic process.

The program for the inaugural, which accepted high school students from across the country, enables youths to actively take part in pre- and post-election festivities in an organized and structured environment. The activities will include debates on political topics and meeting members of Congress. The group will be sharing hotel rooms with other students from Arizona, California, New York, New Mexico, Wisconsin and Texas.

After the trip was approved by the Windsor Locks Board of Education, the opportunity to participate, though limited to 10 students, was extended to the entire high school. Twenty-five students initially expressed interest in going on the Jan. 17 to 23 trip, Sjodin-Niziolek said, and 17 formally applied. The children were chosen on the basis of academic standing, financial ability, their desire to go and a commitment to follow through.

"I'm attracted to being part of something bigger than yourself, beyond the walls of your school," said 17-year old Gabriella Benea, a senior.

"It's one thing to see it on TV and another to be in the middle of it," said another senior, Alexandra Seaha, who will turn 18 the day the group travels home.

The students speak with a wisdom beyond their years. They're keenly aware of the challenges that face our country, our fractured status with other countries and the need to remain united. The students speak with a wisdom beyond their years. They're keenly aware of the challenges that face our country, our fractured status with other countries and the need to remain united behind the president.

Yet, some are already disenchanted.

Michael McCabe Engelmann, a 17-year-old senior and the only male among the 10 students going, has concerns about the president-elect's choices for Cabinet seats dealing with defense and national security, which he views as the status quo.

"Obama promised change, but he's kept a lot of Bush's generals in the Cabinet," he said. "I've lost a lot of faith in politics."

"I really think this trip will change the kids' lives," Sjodin-Niziolek said. "I'm excited to take my students, some who I've been teaching for four years, and see them experience this."

Paige Wetzel, 17, a senior, describes herself as a deeply religious person who grew up in a Christian home. She said she is very excited to be part of such a momentous occasion.

"It's nice to think that someone out there is trying to make a difference in the world," she said.

Though only a freshman (the only one in the group), Tara Rasmussen, 14, had already taken the background course, and she had a desire to go and a maturity beyond her years.

"It's a great experience just going to an inauguration," she said. "But this one is more special, historical. It'll be awesome."

Senior Elizabeth Gannuscio, 17, who plans a career in politics or law, has visited Washington before, but not during an inauguration. She is looking forward to experiencing Washington again, with a better understanding of what all the museums hold and statues represent.

"I absolutely fell in love with it," she said. "I'm really excited to hear others' views and opinions on this trip."

Sjodin-Niziolek said it cost each of the students $2,300 for the trip. That price includes round-trip airfare and weeklong hotel accommodations. All students were required to participate in fund-raisers to defray at least part of the tab, including providing lunch to the school staff on professional development days, selling snacks and soda at school-sanctioned events and holding a Yankee Candle sale.

Nicole Hotchkin, a junior, is proud that she paid for the trip herself. She took a job at the local Wendy's one week after turning 16.

"When the chance came up, I had to take it," she said.

Another 16-year old junior, Eileen Wrabel, said she has always had an interest in our nation's history.

"I agree with [Obama] that change needs to happen," she said.

Alexis Doering, a 16-year-old junior who describes herself as "obsessed" with history and reading books about the Kennedys, said she'll try to go into every activity prepared.

While there are no predetermined topics for the debates, Sjodin-Niziolek encouraged her students to be up on "hot" topics, including the economy, education, energy, national security and the Iraq war.

"I absolutely love politics and everything about it," Doering said. "It'll be exciting and a good experience for me."

Jenn DeLisle, a 17-year-old senior, views the trip as a chance to make connections for the future and to meet people from different backgrounds. "This will be one of the biggest things in my lifetime," she said.